[2] It was also a counter-reaction to the state's changing demographics, particularly the arrival of large numbers of affluent, liberal, Democratic residents from out-of-state, sometimes called flatlanders.
[3] Ruth Dwyer, the Republican nominee for governor that year who, despite being from out of state herself,[4] was closely identified with the movement, spoke of "a clash of outlooks" with the other side consisting of "new people who make the rules for others and don't listen".
The controversy touched every corner of the state as residents expressed their views through public meetings, lobbying campaigns and placards.
Howard Dean, the Democratic governor who had signed the civil unions bill, faced a challenge from Ruth Dwyer, a Republican running on a platform closely tied to the Take Back Vermont movement.
Dean, actively campaigning to take Vermont forward instead,[10] won re-election but Republicans managed to win a majority in the state's House of Representatives.